Just in time for Christmas: a Shipping Container Home for a Homeless Family

Posted January 13, 2015

Photograph: Ceardean Architects

Shipping Containers as part of an economical and sustainable housing solution for emergency shelters and long-term social housing

Here in western Canada, there’s the Oneesan project, a 12 unit housing complex (include link to URL of other blog post) —the first of its kind in Canada—completed last year by the Atira Women’s Resource Society in partnership with the city of Vancouver.

Outside of Canada, innovative projects can be found in London and Amsterdam and elsewhere.

But aside from these amazing projects it’s an idea that’s still very much in its infancy, so, we can all take inspiration from those who get beyond the drawing board and actually into construction.

Home being built from shipping container to house family for ChristmasOrganizers hope endeavour will be used as a prototype by communities

“More than 60 contractors and suppliers are donating their materials and time free, to build what will be Ireland’s first home in a shipping container.”

The vision for the project is to provide a “prototype” for communities who engage in other such endeavours to ease the housing crisis.

State of the art

Architect Derek Trenaman from Ceardean Architects said the structure would exceed building regulation standards. From plumbing to electrics and interior design services, “thousands of work hours” have been put in to turn the container into a state-of-the-art home.

“We’re developing a prototype which people can build from, so we’re actively looking toward community groups, individuals who want to do it themselves, to prototype a system they can follow in a DIY way,” said Mr Trenaman.

“We’re trying to engage people and empower them. What we’re hoping for is that a community centre might come together with plumbers, welders and plasterers. With a small budget, they can pool together to build one of these.”